Process and installation for making pottery



Feb.22, 1938. v w J MILLER 2,109,028

PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR MAKING POTTERY Filed NOV. 4, 1931 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. WJZJZZLZM BY wiafl/ Q 'ATTORNEY Febr22, 1938. w. J. MILLER 2,109,028

I PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR MAKING POTTERY Filed Nov. 4, 193] ll Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Feb. 22, 1938. w. J. MILLER PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR MAKING POTTERY Filed Nov. 4, 1951 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 nu n.

Feb. 22, 1938 w. J. MILLER 2,109,028

vPROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR MAKING POTTERY Filed Nov. 4, 1931 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 /Z INVENTOR:

A TTORJVl-IY Feb. 22, 1938. w. MILLER PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR MAKING POTTERY Filed Nov. 4, 193] ll Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORI Lv; 711;? m (I /A1722 7 BY W ATTORNEY v Feb. 22, 1938. w, J, MlLLEg 2,109,028

PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR MAKING POTTERY Filed NOV. 4, 193] ll Sheets-Sheet 6 I INVENTOR: W2 724ml. 77/17/27 ATTORNEY Feb. 22, 1938. w MlLLER 2,109,028

PROCESS AND INSTALLATIONFOR MAKING POTTERY Filed NOV. 4, 193] ll Sheets-Sheet 7 Fig.

INVENTOR:

Feb. 22, 1938. w J. MILLER PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR MAKING POTTERY Filed Nov. 4, 195] ll Sheets-Sheet 8 W W m; ,M M 7 1 M ATTORNEY Feb. 22, 1938. w. J. MILLER PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR MAKING POTTERY Filed Nov. 4, 1931 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 IN V EN TOR: 1 7/12 7. /7/// 7' Wig $0 ATTORNEY v r v reb. 22, 1938. w MlLLER PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR' MAKING POTTERY r 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Nov. 4, 193] INVENTOR:

A TTORNEY Feb. 22, 1938. w. J. MILLER 2,109,028

PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR MAKING POTTERY INVENTOR. WzY/zm ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 22, 1938 2,109,028

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR MAKING POTTERY William J. Miller, Swissvale, Pa. I Application November 4, 1931, Serial N0.' 573,017

' 75 01am!- (Cl. 25-2) This invention relates to methods and appachanging from one clay to another without interratus for manufacturing pottery ware, particurupting production. q

larly plates, cups, saucers and kindred shapes To maintain a predetermined bulk of clay in from clay and has to do particularly with imthe blank or semi-formed ware and to provide provements in processes, installations, mechafor quick alteration in a known degree of this 5 nisms, and apparatus, for the manufacture of bulk without interrupting production.

pottery ware. To adjust in a known degree the thickness of This application is a continuation in part as to the blank without altering its bulk and without all divisible subject matter of my application for interrupting production.

United States Letters Patent Serial No. 343,693 To feed the clay to molds with substantial 10 now matured into United States Letters Patent avoidance of inclusion of air and other foreign No. 2,046,525. In my French Patent No. 701,108 substances in the clay, and mastication thereof, and my Dominion of Canada Patent No. 342,561 after the clay has been once conditioned. and my United States Letters Patent No.2,0i6,525 To provide for very rapidly spreading the there are described processes and equipment for charge over the mold and at a gradually increas- 15 the manufacture of pottery ware on mass proing pressure and a high terminal pressure; and duction lines from the clay mass to the formed to avoid or considerably reduce undesired yielding ware ready for the firing kilns, all the operations of the latter pressure. a being mechanical without requiring the clay or To effect more dependable release of the blank ware to undergo any manual operation or even from the forming die. i

to-be touched by human hands. The numerous To provide quick location in accurate position instrumentalities of this equipment, moreover, are of the ware forming dies and profile tools and capable of adjustment, interchange, or both, means for varying the distance between dies and mostly without arresting the general operation of profiles to a predetermined extent.

the equipment, giving great flexibility in the To provide for quick adjustment and interquantity and variety of ware produced andallowchange of the ware profiling and other forming 'ing the production to be effected economically tools and accessories.

under the most varying requirements ranging To provide a common source of fluid supply in from large output of a few staple kinds of ware, the various steps of manufacture while permitto relatively small orders of many were varieties. ting adjustment of application in the individual 30 The present invention relates more particusteps.

larly to further improvements in the mass pro- To effect immediate removal of trimmings oi duction of pottery ware along the general lines clay to preferred points of deposit during ware described in my said copending application, and forming operations.

which may be associated with or substituted for To convey surplus clay removed from the ware 35 corresponding steps in the processes or corresurface, away from the profile tool to beyond the spending apparatus in the equipment described brim of the mold.

therein, but which are capable of independent In the circulation of ware molds onva cone, veyor, in a closed cycle through fabricating sta- 40 The main objects of the present invention will tions, to provide for automatic take-up of slack 40 now be outlined as follows: in the conveyor at predetermined places.

To produce high grade jiggered pottery ware In the circulation of ware molds on a conveyor fully automatically from preformed slugs of conin a closed cycle through fabricating stations, to ditioned clay. halt temporarily an element of the conveyor To prevent damage to the porous molds due to while maintaining the adjacent conveyor ele- 45 temperature inequalities between the same and ments taut. the clay applied thereto. Other objects and advantageous features of To prevent sweating cf the clay during drying. my invention are shown anddescrlbed in the ac- To produce simultaneously a multiple of shapes, companying drawings wherein like characters of sizes and styles of said ware. reference designate corresponding parts and 50 To form clay gobs or mold charges of measured wherein: bulk which may be varied while continuing pro- .Figure l is a diagrammatic view of a complete duction. installation including slug preparation and ware To produce pottery ware in a multiple of types formation units, and a dryer; the dryer showing of clay simultaneously and provide for quickly an extra forming unit on the top and also mechas if desired, to the feeder conveyors; Fig. 1B is an elevation showing a pug mill extruding directly onto angles; Fig. 10 shows the angle containing a slug of clay; Fig. 1D shows a quick method of positioning the slug on the feeder conveyor; Fig. IE is a front view of the pug mill.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the complete machine for forming ware;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view in elevation on line IV-IV of Fig. 3; I

Fig. 5 shows a view of the mold tray advancing lever and cam;

Fig. 6 shows a ware treating unit which is mounted on the dryer;

Figs. 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views of cam and toggle mechanism for raising the mold chucks;

Fig. 9 shows a cam drive used on the jigger brake and trimmer; I

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a. water valve;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of Fig. 10 on line XII-XI Fig. 12 shows a plan and end view of a mold Fig. 13 shows a deep ware mold positioned on a tray;

Fig. 14 shows a plan view of the. moldseat on a tray;

Fig. 15 is a flat ware mold positioned on a tray;

Fig. 1'7 is a plan view of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of mechanism which operates the water valve;

Fig. 19 is a plan view of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a sectional elevation of a cam shaft buffer;

Fig. 21 is a plan view partly in section showing details of the feeder station;

Fig. 22 is an elevation partly in section, corresponding to Fig. 21;

Fig. 23-shows a detail of the feeder belt drive;

Fig. 24 shows a clay gob being pushed out of the jaws by which it was severed fronrthe slug;

Fig. 25 shows methods of mounting the profile for cup and saucer;

Fig. 26 shows in plan and section a V turn thread connection;

Fig. 27 is a detail of the feeder belt drive;

Fig. 28 shows two views of the clay charge being extruded and preformed on a porous mold;

Fig. 29 is a side elevation of a profiling and trimming unit for shallow Ware; 1 Fig. 30 is an end view of Fig. 29 from right to eft;

Fig. 31 is a side elevation of a profiling and trimming unit for deep ware;

Fig. 32 is a plan view of Fig. 31;

Fig. 33 is a plan view of a curved and angular profile tool;

Fig. 34 is an elevation of a profile tool;

Fig. 35 shows a conventional profile tool;

Fig. 36 shows a removable cam;

Fig. 37 shows an adjustable sheave used in driving the jigger spindle;

Fig. 38 shows a universal clamp employed for mounting some of the forming tools and appliances;

Fig. 39 is a diagrammatic view of the water system;

Fig. 40 shows the construction of the water nozzles;

Figs. 41, 42, 43, 44, and 46 show modifications of details of the charge feeding station.

In general outline,'the complete installation for the manufacture of pottery according to the present invention consists of: pug mills I, la

adapted to prepared slugs C of conditioned potfeeding station A, a profiling station B and a conveyor '5 for transporting a series of mold trays, suspended by trunnions from links of the conveyor chains, through these stations; a drier E through which the formed ware is passed either by the same or a different conveyor; and, if desired, further fabricating stations F, H, K, Fig. 1, arranged behind the drier in the direction of ware travel.,or at an intermediate stage of the drier, or both. Each mold tray has a plurality of mold seats and the machine is adapted to fabricate simultaneously a corresponding number of diiferent lines of ware.

The fabricating machine hereinafter described comprises two stations A and B as aforesaid,

' and take out at K when a more diversified production is required, as described in my French I Patent No. 701,108. The feeding station A is Fig. 16 shows the chuck structure in detail;

advancing the slug to a charge severing or segregating mechanism capable of great precision of charge measurement, a die for accurately forming and contouring the charge onto the mold, a. plunger for delivering the measured charge on the mold under ideal conditions, and means for reliably releasing the charge from the die and plunger. The profiling or forming station B, according to the present invention, has anassembly of appliances including profile blade, trimmer, air and water nozzles, which can be interchanged as a unit while permitting independent adjustment of all the appliances.

The invention is hereinafter described under the following topical heads, viz.: (1) The preparation of the clay slugs, (2) general description of the driving mechanism for the mold conveyor and forming units, (3) the feeder and preforming station, (4) the forming or profiling station, (5) the drier, and (6) modifications of the various devices and details thereof.

Preparation of the clay slugs In the making of pottery ware, it is desirable to apply the charge of plastic clay securely to the mold in the form of a batt or blank or preshaped form of the correct volume. contour, thickness, diameter, and condition, so as not to involve any more work than necessary in further processing at a subsequent-station and that the control of these factors should be reliable, convenient, and therefore as free from operationinterruption as possible. For this purpose carefully conditioned clay slugs of uniform predetermined size and shape of cross-section are provided for feeding to the machine.

The clay is conditioned in the pugs and extruded onto retaining angles D, Fig. 1C, for insertion in the pottery forming machine to be fabricated into ware. These angles are prefer ably treated with a substance such as castor oil to reduce adhesion of the clay thereto but may be lined with a porous material such as ielt to decrease adhesion. The pug mills, Figs. 1A and 1B, of the extrusion type, are provided with controllable connections lb for conveying a heating medium such as steam, hot air, or electricity to chambers lc in the shell of the pug mills and/or the interior of the same to raise and control the temperature of the extruded slug of clay, or the clay and water may be heated prior to insertion in the pug for a purpose hereafter explained. To provide for the making of multiple kinds and sizes of were, each requiring a different quality of clay or size of extruded slug, I provide a plurality of -pu3- mills in close .proximity to the fabricating machine and each pug may be provided with a plurality of openings (Fig. 1E) for extruding slugs of diflerent cross-sectional sizes and/or shapes. Also each pug may be fed with clay of different color, quality or condition.

The angles D serve to preserve the shape of the extruded slug C and provide for stacking the slugs without the clay slugs themselves coming in contact with each other due to the angles being larger than the slugs. .The angles D also provide for transporting the slugs without distortion and applying in correct position and alignment, to the belts in the feeder station. The slugs and also the supporting angles D are made to a size suited to the size of the were being made, thus, when a large charge is necessary, slugs of larger cross section are employed than when making small ware. The maintenance of I cross sectional uniformity of the slug is of supreme importance as it provides for subsequent extruding orifices.

on rollers if mounted on anti-friction bearings,

suitably supported in position under the pug orifices, serves to support the angles D to receive the relatively limber slugs as they emerge from the To provide clearance for inserting and supplying empty angles D, I arrange the orifices of the pugs at the lower side of the casing.

The angles and deposited slugs are moved to the right (Fig. 13) by the force of the extruded clay and to prevent distortion of the slugs by reaction of the angles, the belts le slope slightly downwards from the mouth of the pug mill. As all the slugs from a multi-oriflce pug mill do not emerge at a uniform speed, each belt supports one slug only and is mounted on rollers independent of the others. A gap lg between the belts facilitates cutting the slugs at the joints between the angles.

The slug sizes are also progressively stepped in height for each given width and the widths are also progressively stepped to thereby provide a slug having a cross-section best suited to the production of a compact charge when segregated. To avoid complication. a minimum number of slug sizes should be used.

To enable a single pug mill to deliver slugs of open at both ends, formed therein into which the orificed die I y can be slidingly inserted. The die is located in the slot by means of a detent He, and gibs prevent the die from being pushed away from the pug casing by the clay. Screws lm (only an upper screw shown) are provided in the outer lips of the slot Ih, which enable the die to be seated against the inner faces oi the slot and also permit the pressure of the clay on the die to be relaxed when it is desired to change the die. This is effected by inserting the new die into the slot until it is in edgewise abutment against the die to be removed, and then pressing the new die' into place with simultaneous ejection of the other die.

The slugs C thus deposited. on the transportable angle supports D may be manually delivered to the charge segregating and feeding station A of the machine. One way of doing this is shown in Fig. 1D, in which the angle and slug are shown at the left, placed in a position alongside a conveyor belt of the feeder station, which position is definitely located by an angle guide DI which can be adjusted on its support D2 by means of a screw D3 extending through a slot D4 in the support D2, to suit slugs of difierent width. The angle support D, and the slug C, are then merely tilted over into theposition shown at the right of Fig. 1D in dotted lines, in which the slug is supported by the feed belt, and the angle then removed.

When making were of a staple kind in which continuous production over a long period of time is desired, the slugs may be automatically fed in to the feeding station A by means which will now be described. An individual extrusion apparatus or pug mill, Fig. 1A, is mounted in front of each feed apparatus, see Figs. 21--22, and is arranged to extrude clay intermittently in amounts determined by computation or by previous practice directly into said feed apparatus.

A short idler belt l8ca or rollers to reduce advance resistance and support the slug may be interposed. between the die i7 and the feeder jaws l8e., This belt IBca takes the place of the feed belt :l8c shown in Figs. 2122 and subse-- quently described.

The pug mill l delivers the sing O directly onto the belt I 8c'a, this mill being driven by a motor 21 through gears 211.. The motor starter is controlled by a relay 27c.

An anchor 21' is provided, adapted to engage the slug and be moved thereby. This anchor 21' is pivoted on a lever 2s and its travel is defined by stops 2t and 2ti forming'contacts in the circuit of the relay Me. A spring 2a urges the anchor 2r in the direction of the stop 2t in the motor starting branch 2t2 of the relay circuit, which spring is tensioned by the slug as it advances to the right. The stop it can be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the stop 2tl in order to prov de for adjustment of slug advance and size of charge or gob, for which purpose the stop is mounted on a screwed rod 2t3 cooperating with threaded guide 2 and has an indexed operating head 2225 and scale 2tl. The other stop 2 may be fixed and it is connected in the motor stopping branch R6 of the relay circuit. The anchor 21' is raised by a cam 2w.

The operation is as .follows: The anchor 21' is as f 4 I a raised from the slug by the cam 2w whereupon the spring 2u moves it against the stop It which A energizes the motor starting branch of the relay circuit and causes the motor to start and a slug stopping the motor. The jaws lle then pinch ofl the gob. The motor remains stopped until the cam zwiagain-actuatea the anchor and initiates -an'other cycle. .The cam ho is driven -from\the j machine drive in suitably timed relation with re- Swot to the operation of the jaws lie. I thus diifectlymeasure the slug advance instead of slug import-as shown in Figs. 21-22. a

of heating the clay will now be xpiainedx- In-making pottery as now practiced.

the plastic clay, when thrown onto the mold, is cold, viz., quite perceptibiy below room tempera- 'ture and very considerably below dryer temperature, so that when the ware reaches the dryer the clay sweats until it absorbs enough heat from the surrounding air to nearlyequalize that of the surrounding air. Evaporation however always keeps the damp were below dryer temperature. The thermal shock of suddenly applying a cold'batt (at about 60' F.) to a hot mold (at about 135 F.) tends to cause hair line cracks in the plaster mold surface due to rapid contraction, which is called mold crazing. To bring this cold clay to nearly dryer temperature and evaporate the sweat off the surface requiresconsiderable time which in a chain dryer requires more molds, increased length, more power to move, and more drying I air. The increased length of time the mold surface is saturated results in shorter mold life due to rotting which progresses during saturation only.

All these disadvantages are overcome by applying uniformly preheated charges, with a minimum of intermediate atmospheric exposure to 'themolds. I

slugstc the Jiggerman,

This improved method is impractical in present manual Jiggeringpractice, unless the customary spasmodicmanual delivery of large clay resulting in intermediate progressive surface cooling and drying of the slug and consequent non-uniform viscosity and temperature of the charges is avoided.

By heating the clay to say 135 F. or higher,

theware immediately after formation, is in condition for dehydration with consequent advantages of quick dewatering of the mold, expedited drying, elimination of thermal shock to the mold. This increases the life of the molds and reduces the floor drying equipment.

Driving mechanism of conveyor and forming i an to The mold conveyor and the fabricating units of the machine are mounted in a frame comprising a main frame casting and a secondary frame casting. The main frame casting consists of longitudinal members 4, a lai spacing the base from the longitudinal members l, brackets lb extending upwardly from the members l and feet lf, all these parts forming an integral casting. Cross bars lc having bearings in the brackets lb sustain the secondary frame casting la2, which has a middle horizontal member la3 secured to the cross bars by means of screws Gal, a lower horizontal member lab, and an upper bracket portion lal. Upper tracks ld pair of cams space, cost and upkeep of the base la, brackets and lower tracks le for the mold trays are mounted on the brackets lb and feet lj' respectively. The main frame members l are provided with bearings lh supporting a shaft li to which a gear l7 and a pair of sprockets lk are secured. At the right hand end, the frame members 3 are provided with. bearings supporting a pair of sprockets 50 secured to a shaft 5d. Two chains 5 carrying the trays iii are in engagement with sprockets 5c and lit-and are supported intermediate thereof by the trunnions 5g of the trays. The trays are in sliding engagement with the tracks lit and le. The chains extend through the drier and fabricating stations outside the forming machine as hereinafter described and are supported beyond the drier by another pair of sprockets lki (Fig. 1). The gear l1 is in engagement with pinion Ih rotated by a shaft 51' and a worm gear drive Ii driven by a shaft 5k. A motor 6 supplies power and transmits its motion to the shaft 5k through gears Ga and 6b, a shaft 60, and lit and a clutch 8d, thus providing for continuous rotation of the sprocket lk., A synchronizing chain 1, (Fig. 1) is provided to keep the sprockets lkl-lk2 in step and maintain the slack therebetween constant notwithstanding theexcess slack in the other portion of the conveyor chains. The trays 5 (Fig. 2) are hung above their center of gravity by their trunnions by so they will be maintained in a horizontal position regardless of direction of travel of chain 5. The shaft 60, in addition to driving the conveyor sprockets, also drives the device for actuating the mold trays in the slack portion of the mold conveyor, which is more fully described andclaimed in my British Patent No. 293,023. For this purpose the shaft 60 is worm gearing 8 to a cross-shaft 8a carrying a 81) (Fig. 5) which cams oscillate levers 8c pivoted to the frame at 8d, rollers 8! on the levers engaging the operative cam track.

The levers 8c have at their upper ends adjust able pawls By making intermittent contact with the trunnions 59 on the right hand stroke of the levers only and trailing idly as the levers move to the left, thus providing for shifting some of the trays intermittently to the right in the course of the general advance of the chain and trays over sprockets llc and 50. A suitable rest 8k is provided to temporarily and yieldingly maintain the trays and chain in shifted position during the idle movement of .pawls 8g.

As the trays are shifted to the right, slack accumulates to the right of the shifted tray and is dissipated or absorbed to the left of the tray due to the synchronous travel of sprockets lk, lkl and lid. The conveyor chain 5 can be extended to the right and/or left of the machine'to any desired point, while maintaining the mode of operation described.

To compensate for conveyor chain length variation and wear, I provide an adjustable guide pulley structure which is shown located near the front end of the dryer E. (Fig. 1). One of the lower tier' of guide pulleys is provided with bearings 550. whichare loosely guided by a fixed channel 56b. A spring 560 inserted between the bottom of the bearing 56a and a fixed abutment 56c supports part of the weight of the pulley struc ture and a screw 56d determines the extent of said support. This arrangement provides automatic takeup and also partly or completely eliminates the catenary or slack section Se in advance of the trays and determines the tension of the chain at that point. A stud 561 and nut 56g seconnected by cured in the bearings flaand sliding freely in a fixed abutment 5671. provides for limiting the de-,

scent of the idler, thus adjustably determining the extent of the catenary, or slack elimination,

' 5 or slack remaining at that point.

The shaft 80. has secured thereto various cams for actuating the chuck devices located beneath 15 the trays, see Fig. 4. To provide for eliminating resiliency in the elevation of the chucks l and ii, secured to shafts Illa andl la, a toggle mechnism diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8 and detailed in Fig. 4 is provided.

20 This toggle mechanism also exerts progressively increased terminal elevating force on the chucks, and a smoother, slower, and more accurate terminal movement. A 'cam. llib on shaft 8a oscillates a lever Id 25 pivoted at its lower end on a fulcrum lfldi and carrying a roller lllc engaging the cam. The upper end of this lever id is jointed by a link Hie to a lever illf connected by suitable joints 10a, which diifer somewhat in the two forms shown in 30- Figs. '7 and 8, to one of the toggle levers Ilih. Pivoted medially on a fulcrum llihl. The other toggle member if is jointed at its upper end lflil to. the chuck stem Iliav or spindle I la and at its lower end [012 to the toggle lever lilh, this joint con- 35 stituting the knee of the toggle. The parts are so arranged that in one condition shown in Figs. 'l and 8, the toggle members "in, it and the chuck stem are in alignment providing rigid vertical support for the chuck, while in the other 40 condition the toggle parts are collapsed, corresponding to lowered chuck.

As it is. of vital importance to insure against uncontrolled resiliency to obtain accurate terminal elevation to the chucks l0 and II as will be Q 45 explained later, the toggle mechanism, due to the elements thereof being in compression and not I subjected to bending strain. provides a simple but efficient solution. As the cam Nib is rotated, the chucks i0 and II are caused to reciprocate in 50 synchronism with the movement of the chain c, the shifting mechanism Fig. 5 and the cam shaft 8a.

The shaft So has also adjustably secured-thereto, two cams [6 (Fig. 9) serving to reciprocate 55 a pitman i6a through the medium of rollers ISb,

one roller and one cam being located and projecting from opposite sides of the pitman lid, for controlling the rotation of the chuck of the profile station B. The pitman is pivotally con- 60 nected to an oscillating arm I60 (Fig. 2) which in turn is connected by link lid to a lever lGe pivoted to the frame la at one end and to a.

pitman H5 at the other, and intermediately to a clutch sleeve 169. The pitman I6! is tapered 65 at its forward end (see Fig. 3) and projects between the halves or gap in a brake band I872 resiliently maintained by springs i611. in contact with the hub of a gear l6i which in turn engages a gear Ilik (Fig. 2) secured to a shaft iim. The 70 halves of the brake band are spread by the pitman when pitman Ilia. is moved to the left to thereby release the brake and simultaneously move the clutch sleeve its! to engage the clutch and thereby connect shaft Go. to the gear l-Gi due 75. to the free half of the clutch being secured to the gear I62, thus the brake is released and the clutch applied in rapid sequence, almost simultaneously and vice versa.

The shaft l6m has also secured toit, a gear ISM (Fig. 4) meshing with a gear I60 secured 5 to a shaft lGp to which is secured an adjustable. sheave liq which transmits motion to a spindle lirthrough the medium of a V-belt l6s and adjustable sheave I St. The spindle "Sr is in splined-sllding engagement with the chuck spin- 10 die Ha and chuck H of the profiling station. As'the pitman I611. is reciprocated, the chuck spindle- I to with the chuck II is caused to intermittently rotate and rest and the cams it are adjusted to synchronize the periods of rotation with that of the elevation of the chucks by the cam "lb and also, in synchronism with the tray shift and other operations for a purpose hereinafter more fully described.

In Figs. 3- and 4, the cam shaft M has secured thereto two cams 9e and which are in engagement with rollers 91 secured to levers 9g pivotally-secured at 9h to-the frame do at one end and at the other to 'a cross head 9k, pivoted at 9m for operating a plunger which feeds the clay charges to the molds. A guide bar 9n, Fig. 2, depends from the pivot 9m and is guided at 90. A roller 9p is pivotally secured to 9n and a lever sq is piv- Q oted to the frame at one end and to a tension spring 9s at the other. A cam portion 9r contacts with the roller in. such a way that when the crosshead 91: is in its lowermost position, the spring 98 exerts its maximum pressure, and, when the cross head is in its uppermost position, the lever 9aand cam portion 91.- are substantially in a vertical po- .sition and exert no vertical pressure on the roller 9p and consequently the cross head 9k descends by gravity only at its upper end of travel, and under progressively increased spring power'at its lowermostend of travel", for a purpose herein- 40 after more fully described. The shaft 911 (Fig. 3) has secured thereto a grooved cam 9t transmitting motion to pitman 911. and arm 13 secured to shaft l3a having bearing in the frame 224 and serves to oscillate said shaft [3a for operating the profiling and trimming appliances as hereinafter described. The shaft 9d alsohas secured thereto, cams 9w operating on a roller I! (Fig. 4) secured to lever a which in turn is pivoted to the frame 4a at I4! and at the other end to a 5 cross bar lie for operating slug severing jaws as hereinafter described. Cams 9:: for the feed belt drive are adjustably secured to the cams 9w by screws 91: and contactwith rollers Md secured to lever lle which in turn is pivoted to the frame do at I and at the other end connect with a cross bar llgl which actuates the pitmans My which in turn actuate the belt moving mechanism hereinafter described. The horizontal "bar [4g] serves to operate all the pitmans My to that v avoid the use of a. separate cam and lever for feeding each slug. A fork secured to the pitmans Ma serves to operatively connect pitmans Hg andbar Hgl.

In Fig. 2, protractor dials Saa are shown se'-- cured to the ends of the shafts 8m and 941 for the purpose of ascertaining and recording, for subse- 5 quent re-setting, the various cams on the cam with that of the sprocket 470 to initially bring the chain slack and tray shift into synchronism.

To give adjustable spacing of the lines of ware fabrication, the trays 5 (Fig. 12) are provided with a series of dowel holes evenly spaced in the flanges of the side pieces 5m, whichholes match dowel holes in the cross bars of the machine on which the fabricating units are mounted, so that these units may be accurately positioned in alignment without tedious measurement and adjustment. The dowel holes in 5m serve to position cross bars 571 or lugs 50 (see Figs. 13, 14, and 15) which support and adjustably and accurately position, mold holding rings 5p. For convenience and economy in mounting various types of molds, the upper as well as the lower flanges of the channel sides 5m are perforated. To reduce the shock of impact of colliding trays, when slack is being accumulated, resilient members 5q are provided at the corners of the trays. For molds of large diameter, the bars 5n are spaced farther apart than when small diameter molds are mounted. This arrangement also provides for spacing the units to best advantage, that is to say, when small molds such as for cups and saucers are employed exclusively, then a greater number of units may be applied and the center distance or brim clearance of the molds spaced to best advantage, vice versa, when large molds are employed exclusively, a less number may be mounted, or as in the practical operation of this machine in dinnerware plants, the machine may be'equipped with units, one to make cups, another saucers, another cereals, bread and butter plates, dinner plates, etc., so that at each functioning of the machine, one complete unit of a dinner set may be fabricated to thereby provide for synchronized production of dinner sets, (except pieces of irregular shape which have to be cast), without the necessity of storage of one article while another is being made. The coacting fabricating mechanisms hereinafter described are also provided with corresponding dowel holes preferably snug fitting dowels to avoid need of adjustment and the supporting bars therefor mounted to bring these holes in exact'alignment with those of the trays to thereby provide for quick selective adjustable mounting of molds and fabricating units.

In Fig. 4, the feeder unit A is shown as secured to a frame girder A by means of dowelled studs A a series of holes being provided in girder A (Fig. 3), similar to that shown in Fig. 12.

Figs. 16 and 17 show the preferred method of mounting the chucks I and II, (Fig. 4) on the spindles 10a and lid. The spindles are threaded preferably internally and provided with a positioning device such as a screw or detent IT, a stud Ila depends from the chuck 'and is externally square threaded and provided with a series of positioning flutes llb into which the positioning device I! is projected to retain the stud in angular position. The square threads on stem I10,

have vertical lost motion in the hollow spindle Illa but are a snug sliding fit laterally so that a limited amount of free vertical travel of the stud Na in the spindle 10a is provided for.

A spring IIal is adjustably positioned below the stem to maintain it elevated. During the pressing and profiling operations, this serves as an overload release and also to more gradually progress the mold to maximum elevation and in proportion to the resistance met from work being done. A stiff clay spreads and profiles slower than a more fluid clay. This therefore also com- The chuck is also provided with a scale I To visibly located, thus providing for adjusting and maintaining in adjusted position, the altitude of the chuck, which in turn controls the thickness of the batt or ware. The chuck is further pro vided with a bushing I id externally threaded and in engagement with the interior threaded portion of the chuck, slots or flutes being provided in the periphery of the bushing Nd and a detent lie provided in the chuck wall to maintain said ring in adjusted position. A scale on the bushing (see Fig. 17) provides a visible means of'ascertaining the position of adjustment for a purpose hereinafter described. The ring lid is preferably chamfered on the top or mold seating surface and a screen secured on the under side. The chamfer prevents dirt lodging thereon and also applies inward radial pressure to counteract the internal bursting pressure set up in'the mold during the batt pressing operation.

In operation, these chucks reciprocate to raise the molds llaa (Figs 13-15) off the mold supporting rings 5p into engagement with fabricating units and it is necessary to accurately position the mold with relation to the fabricating unit vertically and. desirable and economical to make this adjustment while in operation. In actual operation, the speed of the machine will range between 6 and 12 pieces of ware per minute in each fabricating line depending upon the size of the ware being made, and the dwell period of while in operation. When making ware em.ploy-' ing molds having a cavity such as cup molds; it is desirable to support the molds at the bottom to prevent fracture of theintervening rather fragile plaster walls of the mold between the flanges I'lg (Fig. 13) and the bottom llh,'due to pressure from the forming implements, this ring lid (Fig. 16) therefore, provides for supporting the mold on the chuck brim H1, or on the ring l'ld, or on both. This arrangement may also be desirable when making large plates, wherein molds are employed such as shown in Fig. 15, to properly support the central portion of the mold. The chuck is further provided with a bore Ilj for the purpose of conveying sub and/or super atmospheric pressure to the chuck cavity below the mold to either seize the mold or repel it from the chuck at definite instances to thereby insure more reliable functioning of the machine.

The mold in Fig. 13 is also provided with an upper flange ilk which provides for supporting the'mold in the ring 5p without interfering with the seating of the chuck against the flange Hg. The mold Fig. 15 is supported on the mold ring 5p by the outer edge of the flange i'lm, a gap I712 providing for access of the chuck.

Figs. 18 and 19 show the means for actuating the water valves, shown attached to shaft 903, and adjusting the instant of actuation of the con trol cam. A cam disc 92 on the shaft 9d is provided with a series of threaded openings 3| into which a number of studs i5 are secured. These studs engage the arms of a star wheel I 5b and shift it one notch or revolution and as the valve requires a A; revolution from one open to another open position, it follows that at every alternate functioning, the valve is opened and closed. These Studs may be placed at various positions and serve for adjusting the relative instant of and number of functions of the fluid control valve during one cycle. The disc 92 is also adjustable on its shaft.

-Fig. is a sectional view of a cam motion stabilizing device. When cams having quick descent are employed, the tendency is for the shaft to leap ahead at that point to the extent the lost motion in the transmission gearing will permit, and this affects the functioning of other cams at that point. To overcome this tendency, one or more actuators 32k are provided rotating with the cam shaft and they are arranged to contact with a roller 32 pivotally mounted on a bell crank lever 32a pivoted to a casing 32b, the horizontal portion of the bell crank resting on a buffer piston 32c which is normally kept elevated by a spring 32d. Piston 320 is a close working fit in a bore 321 in the casing 32b and a reservoir 326 communicates with the piston bore 32] through ports 32g and 32h. A needle valve 321' controls the size of the opening 32g, and a ball check 325i prevents outflow of liquid from the bore 32!. When the reservoir 326 is filled with a buffer liquid, for example, oil or water, the bore 32f also fills, and when piston 320 is depressed, it resists to the extent that the valve 322 obstructs expulsion of liquid from the bore 32f. On the upward or idle travel of piston 32c, liquid passes freely past ball valve 327. The actuator 3210 is secured to the cam 32m or its shaft and is so mounted angularly and its contour is such as to equalize the reverse impulse imparted by the roller 321 against the quick drop surface of the 'cam 32m, and thereby stabilize the operation of other cams, on the same shaft.

' Feeder and preforming station the advance of the projecting end of the slug and insure uniform and reliable advance. This platen may be hollow and have a porous upper face through which air under pressure can be forced to prevent adhesion or release the slug tip from the platen.

A rectangular frame I802 houses a series of drive rollers I803 for the belt, which is supported on idle rollers I804 and undulated over the rollers I803 which are of small diameter to provide ample traction in a minimum vertical space. The front belt roller I8c5 is mounted in a yoke I806 slidably arranged on the frame I802 and adjustable relatively thereto by means of screws IBcI threaded in lugs I808 of the frame I802, for the purpose of keeping the belt taut.

A depending extension I8c9 of the frame I802 rests on a crossbeam I8c|ll of the machine frame in which is fixed a series of spaced dowels I8cI I. The feeder belt frames I8c2 have corresponding dowel holes whereby the frames can be easily and accurately located transversely of the machine in alignment with the devices with which the slug feeders cooperate. The other end of the belt frame I802 rests on a frame member I8 or base 92b hereinafter described, and is located by dowels I8cI2 and dowel holes in like manner. One of the belt driving rollers I8c3 has secured thereto a spider I9b, Fig. 23, of a clutch mechanism. This spider is provided with wedge shaped recesses I90 in its periphery, housing rollers I9e pressed by springs I9d against the inner periphery of a ring gear I9f meshing with rack teeth I9g on the pitman. Mg which is reciprocated from the cam mechanism 93:, Fig. 4. As the pitman Hg is reciprocated, the clutch mechanism causes the rollers I803 and consequently the belt I80 to be progressed forward, in'one direction only, the

rollers I9e trailing idly when the ring gearISf rotates clockwise.

In Fig. 22, is shown a structure which provides for accurately adjusting the extent of progression of the belt I80. The belt roller I803 is driven by a friction drive, Fig. 23, and the pitman Hg is guided in the frame member I8c9. A micrometer screw I9k is screw threaded in the frame member I809, its graduated head l9p cooperating with the fixed scale I90. This screw I9k serves as stop for an abutment ISgI on the pitman Hg. The pitman I4g is pushed to the left by the cam 91: and retracted. by a, spring I9m so that its travel termination to the left is constant andits travel to the right is adjustable. Presuming that one rotation of screw I9k advances the screw one graduation on scale I90, it is evident that minute micrometer adjustments 'of the advance of the pitman Mg and consequently of the clay slug C may be made while the machine is in operation and by noting the position of theindicating dial and the scale I90, and with a predetermined size slug on the belt IBc, the machine may be set to cut off extremely accurate weight charges initially without tedious experiment. Also, the weight may be increased or decreased to a known extent quickly and while the machine is in operation.

The abutment IBgI with which the screw I970 contacts, is adjustably secured to one end of the pitman Mg, by means of notches in the pitman and a corresponding tooth on the abutment, a spring I9g2 holding the parts in engagement. This provides for quick major adjustments of slug advance. A scale on the rack indicates the position of the abutment.

To provide for discontinuing the feeding of clay to any unit, a latch 2I slidably socketed in the frame I802 is provided, which when thrown into engagement with a notch of the pitman Mg holds the pitman Hg in extended position and prevents progression of the clay.

Figs. 21 and 22 also show the preferred mechanism for segregating charges of clay from the preformed sills and delivering the charge to the mold. The frame member I8 is of open rectangular box-like construction and houses a pair of jaws I8e pivoted at I8, to the top portion I8d of the member I8. A vertical bore I8g extends through the jaws and the exterior entrance end I8h of the jaws are in the form of an are having the center of the hinge or pivot pin I8 as a center. Bearing against this contoured surface I8h, are slug guides I8i serving to guide the slug C centrally to the bore IBg. These guides I8i have scraper ends I87 which bear against the contoured surface I8h of the jaws We and serve to scrape off any clay that might adhere to the face I8h and thereby prevent accumulation of clay at that point. The cutting edges IQ of the jaws IBe when in'open position are substantially in alignment with the scrapers I87 so that all the clay will be scraped off and an unbroken surface provided for entrance of the slug C. The scrapers I87 are adjustably supported as by the adjustable link Ilk which permits their angle of inclination relative to the slug sides and their extent of apsource ofair at superatmospheric pressure through control valves, to repel slugs of adhesive nature from their surfaces to insure unretarded accurate advance of the slug.

However when clay of a less adhesive nature is being used, a highly polished, abrasive resistant face, such as chrome plate may be employed.

The jaws I8e are provided with lugs 30 andarrns 30a, and are operated by means of a reciprocable yoke 207' driven through a sliding bar IlcI from the cam 9w, lever Ida, and crossbar Ilc (Fig.,4). This yoke has tapered ledges engaging tapered flanks of the jaw lugs 30 in the left hand movement of the yoke 201, to close and lock the jaws, and dogs 300 which engage the jaw arms. 30a in the right hand movement of the yoke, to open the jaws. The jaws are cut away at the, side nearer the pivot I8] and a separate complementary member Ilcl corresponding in shape to the cut away portion is stationarily mounted in the frame I8 or as an extension of a bushing Me, to prevent ad-' Vance of the clay beyo nd the rear of the orifice.

- 1 The mating edges Ile! of the member I8eI and of the cut away part of the jaws are circular to wipe off any clay which may be projected over the joint face.

As the jaws I8e close to sever a charge, the cutting edges I9 will displace some material to right and left. When extremely soft sticky clay is employed, it tends to sag against the jaw faces I8h andv to adhere thereto.

To avoid this I provide for simultaneously cutting and retracting the slug end away from the faces I8h as, in Fig. 46, I show a method of retracting the belt to a known extent as the jaws close. A lever I9q frictionally engages the shaft I91, and at its other end on one side abuts against a stop I98 and on the other side against an adjustable spring Hit; a screw I9u adjustably limits the clockwise travel of the lever I9q. As the belt is progressed, the spring I9t is compressed and on the return movement of the pitman Mg, the spring I9t tends to reverse the direction of travel of the belt I to a known extent to thus retract the material away from the Jaws I8e.

In Fig. 27, a modified form of retracting mechanism is shown. The belt I8c has secured to it a chain I911 which is advanced directly by pitman My through pawls I9w spaced to engage the chain links progressively, so that the slug is advanced positively to a known extent and the retraction is governed by the back pressure from the jaws aided bythe degree of pressure of the inclined flanks of the pawls I910 against the links of the chain I90, the degree of which may be adjusted through the screws I91: and the springs I911.

Figs. 21 and 22 show, as an example, a preforming mechanism for bowls or cups. The

frame ll of the jaw mechanism is provided with a quickly removable base 28b (fully described later). A porous die 20b is cemented or otherwise removably secured in the die base 200, Figs. 26-42, or directly in the base 29b encircling a sleeve 20c secured permanently-in the base, a chamber 204! being provided between the die and the sleeve. A conduit He provides for conveying,

under valved control, a fluid under substantial pressure to the chamber Md. The die proper 20b is of porous material such as porous mixture of cement and sand, openstructure bisque, etc.

A plunger ilt'provided with. a porous face 20g is in telescopic. engagement-with the sleeve 20c and is provided with detent-20f and chamber "is valves with a source of compressedrair. stem 20f is; ad-

.justably secured t t eeiw neaa ikfFlg. 2). i 1'18. 22 for quickly interchanging. vthe. 'feecler'plunger";1,2 0 in predetermined poaition'wand minor adjustmentsrffjljheupper frame 1: is ind rrovmedryaa, guide-bushing lkl tout the W dilmetenblunger' of the adaptable thereto plunger :0! is I internally throadedsnd provided with. a screw or detent-lid for adjultably it'to the plungerstem iii. A clamp untamed to the stud. and provided with a boss lkl; which isa slidingfit in a bushing lie and two-dowels-lk! are secured in the bar Ski and enter accurately spaced holes in the crosshead 0k aligned with the holes in the other supports heretofore described, t 2

serving to accurately position the plunger 1615-.

tively to other apparatus without'tedious, adjust ment. The parts 9k3 and 20! are provided with an index dial and pointer to visibly ascertain and record the adjustment, the detent 9706 serving for quick adjustment while in operation. As shown in Fig. 4, the stud ZIIi extends up through another clamp bar 50k, nut 50m and key 501:. The narrow 'width'of the bar SkI permits the quick removal of the'entire assembly through the cross head Us by simply loosening the nut 50m to clear the dowels Ski, then rotating the assembly Also the upper guide bushing 91 iscommon to all diameters of plunger-s, therefore need not be exchanged. Thus the plunger may be adjusted correctly, before installation, from previous records, and delay in production is avoided.

Figs. 21 and 22, also show mechanism for quick interchange of dies. The floor of the frame I8 is cut away and the inner sides are provided with grooves 29 through which project detents 29a. The die base 2% is tongued at the sides to fit into the grooves 29 and on its upper surface provided with a wearing plate 29c. The

v The operations of feeding and preforming areperformed as follows: A slug of clay is placed on the belt I8'c, the jaws I to being open, the slug is advanced a predetermined distance beyond the cutting portions I9, and over the'opening I8o (Fig. 21), the jaws then close, cutting off the projecting stub and also then tend to compress and form to partial cylindrical shape, the pinched degree all around and pushing out any air in advance thereof.

The termination pressure is very high due to the gradual restriction of the space between the mold and die and is further accentuated by the circumferential final substantial closing of the gap between said mold and die.

A ring 20b! Fig. 22 of resilient material such as rubber is preferably mounted on the die adjacent the ware brim to define and finally compact said brim. Its resiliency facilitates slight vertical variation in mold elevation, for determining batt thickness, without substantially altering the degree of brim compacting. Under excessive pressure it yields and permits the excess clay to escape in thin sheet form and on decompression it progressively parts from the clay batt brim. A resilient porous material such as felt may be employed and air under pressure applied thereto during parting of batt from the die to absolutely ensure release.

The final elevation of the mold and final depression of the plunger may or may not be simultaneous as found most advantageous. The complete elevation of the mold is only momentarily to provide a pause during which the applied clay charge stabilizes itself and comes to rest. After this short pause, it is preferred to drop the mold slightly by providing the cam lllb, as shown in Fig. 4, with an offset IBM, and, substantially simultaneously, to admit compressed air to the cavities 20d and 20h and consequently through the porous die 20b and head 209 to the juncture of the formed clay batt and the porous dies, which serves to rupture the bond, repel the clay batt from the die, and ensure adhesion of the batt to the mold. The chuck is kept elevated to hold the mold in this position the maximum period of time permissible in a cycle, thereby providing a prolonged interval during which the batt and mold may be repelled from the die without serious consequences. Should there be slight tendency to adhere and the chuck were immediately lowered, then the mold would drop a con-v siderable distance and might be broken by the impact. However, this short drop being only about of an inch, provides for delayed release without serious consequences and consequent interruption of operations. To still further provide against possibility of adhesion of the batt and mold to the porous die, and also insure adhesion of the batt to the mold, vacuum is applied to the duct l'la- (Fig. 16) in the chuck just prior to final elevation of the mold, then prior to the mold contacting with the ring 5p, the vacuum is shut off and super atmospheric pressure may be admitted to release the mold' from the chuck. To provide against the formation of ring marks on the ware the charge is spread preferably rather quickly which prevents halting of the spreading action which might otherwise take place due to setting or hardening of the clay before the charge has completely covered the mold. To further insure against interruption or derangement operation, the degree of hardness at certain points may be increased on the molds where they are subjected to ware or severe pressure from batt application. This may be provided for by coating the surface of the mold with a suitable hardening solution such as shellac or providing the mold with a permanent metallic reinforcement as shown in my copending application Serial No. 343,693 by Figs. 8 and 8A.

Forming and profiling station After the batt is formed and the mold deposited on the tray, it is advanced to the next station B and another chuck ll elevates it to final forming operating position through the toggle and cam mechanism shown in Fig. 8. The action here is different from that imparted at the pressing position. It is preferred to elevate the mold rather rapidly until the batt contacts with the profile tool, or within from .030 inch to .050 inch of maximum elevation, then slowly to maximum elevation, to avoid ripping of the clay surface by the profile tool. This is followed by a dwell period followed by a very slow drop of about .005 inch to provide for progresssively reducing the pressure of the profile tool on the ware surface during the terminating polishing operation and also avoid the usual tool mark on the ware surface when ware and tool are parted abruptly, then rather rapidly until the mold nears the mold ring 5p, then slowly while depositing the mold on the ring, then the chuck is dropped rapidly. This method of procedure produces ware free from tool marks and is particularly applicable when the batt is mechanically applied and of dependable unvarying thickness and contour.

Referring to Fig. 2, a girder 22 supported by bracket 22a is secured to the frame part M2 and provided with a suitable bearing to support a rocker shaft 13a to which are secured arms 220 connected together by a cross bar 22d. To girder 22 are secured the profiling implements (see Figs. 29, 30, 31, 32) by means of dowels and bolts He, the girder 22 being provided with a series of holes similar to that shown in Fig. 12. To reduce the time necessary in the replacement of these profiling implements and provide for adjustment while in operation, thus providing for the maximum of continuous operation, I have assembled into one unit and arranged to be assembled and adjusted on a dummy set up apparatus, mechanisms ordinarily individually attached to the machine. Thus, I have assembled into one unit the. profile tool, the trimmer and operating mechanism, the water and air application nozzles and a spill plate or splash guard so that when changing from one type of ware to another, the time necessary is materially reduced, and when applied, immediate production obtained without tedious interruptions due to adjustments.

The preferred form of profile for fiat ware is as shown in Figs. 29, 30, 34, in which a frame 22f is integral with or fixed on a head 22g. The frame 22f was heretofore made of wood, but I prefer to make it of a light metal which does not stain clay such as aluminum. In Fig. 34, is shown the preferred method of securing a profile blade 22h onto the frame 22), providing for quick replacement of blades when they become dull from use. The frame 22 is provided with two rectangular bosses 221, and the blade 22h with two projecting ears 227'; a clamp 22k secured by screws 22m retains the blade 22h in position against upward displacement, the ears 229' resting 

